Farmall F-14 Rock Island, IL 1939

At first glance, the new did its many jobs well and off was the steering-shaft angle. The main logo is just a black-colored ‘H’ with a giant hence sold well, and by 1926, IHC was difference, though, was a more powerful red dotted ‘I’ in the middle. To farmers ready for large-scale production at its engine, which was big enough to handle and anyone well familiar with the tractor new Farmall Works plant in Rock Island, two plows instead of one. Over 27,400 model, they know the ‘H’ symbolizes the Illinois. of these were built from 1938 to back of the wheels and axle of a tractor, 1939. the lower part of the ‘I’ is the body of Although the Farmall never reached the tractor, and the dot of the ‘I’ is the the per-year production numbers of the The Farmall tractors in 1939 proved a driver’s head. during the 1920s, it was the huge success, and IHC enjoyed a sales tractor that prevented the Fordson from lead that continued through much In 1902, the McCormick Harvesting completely owning the market on small, of the 1940s and 1950s, despite stiff Machine Company and Deering lightweight, mass-produced, affordable competition. IHC produced many tractors Harvester Company, along with three tractors for the small or medium family during their reign and were ranked as smaller agricultural equipment firms, farm. Its narrow-front tricycle design, one of the largest manufacturers of farm (Milwaukee; Plano; and Warder, Bushnell, power takeoff (a feature on which tractors. and Glessner —manufacturers of IHC was an early leader), standard Champion brand) merged to create the mounting points for , and International Harvester Company. other implements on the tractor’s frame (a Farmall first) gave it some competitive Around 1920, as IHC’s motor advantages over the Fordson, especially died, their team of engineers was for row crops. It became the favorite row- experimenting with an all-purpose tractor crop tractor of America, outselling all IHC, following long negotiations, agreed that would replace the horse in every job, other competitors (such as ’s). to sell its agricultural products division, including cultivating. By 1923, they settled name, and symbol to Tenneco, Inc. on on a configuration, and their informal The IHC produced only 25 models of Nov. 26, 1984. Tenneco had a subsidiary, name for the project, the “Farmall,” was the Farmall F-12 in 1932. After this initial J.I. Case, which manufactured tractors, selected as the product’s official name. sample production, the numbers rose but lacked the full line of farm implements It was maneuverable and had enough to a total of 123,407 pieces. Production that IHC produced: combines, cotton ground clearance to cultivate row crops. ended in 1938 when the more powerful pickers, tillage equipment, etc. The Farmall was tall and narrow, so the F-14 was introduced. Like all Farmall farmer could see around the engine and tractors, this little unit could turn on a The truck and engine divisions remained, prevent the cultivator hoes from plowing dime. It had an adjustable rear tread, and, in 1986, Harvester changed the plants rather than weeds. However, IHC could pull a two-bottom plow, was easy corporate name to management was concerned the new to handle, and proved to be ideal for Corporation. Navistar International high-riding tricycle design, a rather light farm chores. It was one of the most Corporation continues to manufacture spindly-looking thing to eyes of the early economical tractors ever made, and on medium- and heavy-duty trucks, 1920s, might turn off customers. For this an average load, it only used two quarts school buses, and engines under the reason, the Farmall was initially released of gasoline per hour. International brand name. only in Texas in order to minimize potential embarrassment if the design This tractor is almost identical to the F-12. proved to be unsuccessful. However, the The only difference one could see right

Jack’s Urban Meeting Place - www.jumpboise.org